Testing, Testing | Snow Report

This week sees the SIGB (Snowsport Industries of Great Britain) annual ‘Slide On Snow’ Snow Test at La Clusaz, France.

The SIGB is the trade association for skiing and snowboarding in the UK, and organises a range of activities for its members as well as the general promotion of snowsport.

The team from Fall Line Skiing and Welove2ski is in La Clusaz from 23-27 January to test out all the gear which will be available for the 2024/25 winter season.

These on-snow tests provide the detailed information which will be collated, analysed and presented in the annual Gear Guide issue of Fall Line Skiing magazine, which drops at the beginning of November.

If you’re looking to purchase new equipment for your upcoming trip or not sure what equipment to rent in resort, then the digital issue of the 2024 Gear Guide is available here:

And the test conditions this week in La Clusaz? Testing to say the least!

Drizzle and freeze thaw conditions down low; firm & fast pistes under sunny skies at mid-mountain; and 10-15cm of new snow at the top of the mountain.

If you’re out in resort drop us a line via our social media channels to share your ‘on the snow’ experiences and photos.

We’ll be posting twice weekly snow reports on Mondays and Thursdays throughout the 2023/24 winter season, so bookmark us or better yet subscribe to get the latest snow news and our tips for where the snow will be.

Between snow reports please visit the ‘Stories’ section of Instagram to see the latest images and videos from ski resorts around the world.

Forecast for the Next 3-4 Days

Freeze thaw conditions can be expected in Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland with up to 10cm of new snowfall up high but rain below 2,500m Friday into Saturday.

The sunny and dry spring-like weather continues in the Pyrenees, Andorra and southern Spain with temperatures reaching 14C at village level on Wednesday.

Remaining cold in Finland with temperatures between -5 to -15C with 5-10cm of new snow forecast.

Both Norway and Sweden can expect 10-25cm of snowfall through Monday with Myrkdalen and Voss, Norway forecast to receive almost a metre up high but heavy rain at village level.

Central and Eastern Europe will see sunny and dry conditions for the most part, with Poiana Brasov, Romania and Jasna, Slovakia forecast to receive 25-35cm through Monday.

Further east, the Georgian and Turkish resorts will remain cold with 10-20cm of new snowfall.

Conditions at the Scottish resorts will be wild through Monday with a snow and heavy rain mix top to bottom combined with high winds. Expect some lift closures.

The East Coast of the US can expect 10-15cm of new snow up top with rain at village level.

Between 10-20cm is set to fall across the Mountain States of the US to give great conditions on and off piste through Monday.

The Western states of the US will see freeze thaw conditions, with the Oregon and Washington resorts expecting 20-30cm of snowfall up high but heavy rain at village level Friday and Saturday.

Eastern Canada can expect 10-15cm of new snow and cooler temperatures than of late.

Snowfalls of between 10-20cm in the mountain provinces of Alberta and BC will see great conditions on and off piste for the coming weekend.

The wild ride continues at Whistler Blackcomb with 30-40cm of new snow forecast for the alpine but heavy rain from mid-mountain down.

Temperatures remain well below freezing top to bottom on the northern island of Hokkaido with 35-55cm forecast. It may be accompanied by strong winds which may force lift closures.

It’s a similar situation on Japan’s main island of Honshu with 35-55cm of new snow forecast.

Austria

SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental (81/82 lifts; 242/270km piste; 40-100cm base)
Ski Circus [Saalbach Hinterglemm, Leogang, Fieberbrunn] (68/70 lifts; 221/270km piste; 50-120cm base)
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis (38/38 lifts; 214/214km piste; 40-150cm base)
KitzSki [Kitzbühel, ​Kirchberg] (55/58 lifts; 188/188km piste; 80-95cm base)
Ski Arlberg [St. Anton, ​St. Christoph, ​Stuben, ​Lech, Zürs, ​Warth, ​Schröcken] (41/85 lifts; 168/301km piste; 65-340cm base)
Zillertal Arena [Zell am Ziller/, Gerlos, Königsleiten, ​Hochkrimml] (47/52 lifts; 148/150km piste; 100-215cm base)
Hochkönig [Maria Alm, ​Dienten, ​Mühlbach] (34/34 lifts; 120/120km piste; 50-130cm base)
Snow Space Salzburg [Flachau, Wagrain, ​St. Johann-Alpendorf] (42/45 lifts; 117/120km piste; 60-140cm base)
Silvretta Arena [Ischgl, Samnaun] (27/46 lifts; 112/239km piste; 50-140cm base)
Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau (41/45 lifts; 94/97km piste; 30-140cm base)
Gurgl [Obergurgl, Hochgurgl] (3/25 lifts; 51/112km piste; 85-150cm base)
Dachstein West [Gosau, ​Russbach, ​Annaberg] (21/22 lifts; 51/51km piste; 40-130cm base)
Ski Optimal [Kaltenbach, Hochzillertal, ​Hochfügen] (20/39 lifts; 48/86km piste; 10-95cm base)

Axamer Lizum (7/9 lifts; 23/38km piste; 80-100cm base)
Bad Gastein (17/18 lifts; 72/82km piste; 40-140cm base)
Bad Kleinkirchheim (21/22 lifts; 90/103km piste; 50-90cm base)
Damuls Mellau (14/21 lifts; 81/81km piste; 130-190cm base)
Hintertux (9/21 lifts; 56/62km piste; 65-295cm base)
Kaunertal (6/7 lifts; 49/55km piste; 210-340cm base)
Kitzsteinhorn (19/21 lifts; 58/61km piste; 40-170cm base)
Kuhtai (12/12 lifts; 44/47km piste; 150-210cm base)
Mayrhofen (44/44 lifts; 140/142km piste; 10-75cm base)
Nassfeld (28/30 lifts; 107/110km piste; 15-110cm base)
Nauders (11/11 lifts; 75/75km piste; 50-120cm base)
Obertauern (26/26 lifts; 100/100km piste; 140-200cm base)
Schladming (45/47 lifts; 120/123km piste; 90-140cm base)
Silvretta Montafon (35/36 lifts; 130/140km piste; 20-190cm base)
Solden (9/31 lifts; 33/147km piste; 30-300cm base)
Stubai (9/26 lifts; 43/68km piste; 90-315cm base)
Tauplitz (12/17 lifts; 44/44km piste; 40-200cm base)
Zell am See (25/28 lifts; 72/77km piste; 20-150cm base)

France

Three Valleys [Val Thorens, Les Menuires, ​Méribel, Courchevel] (151/156 lifts; 552/600km piste; 160-220cm base)
Les Portes du Soleil [Morzine, ​Avoriaz, ​Les Gets, ​Châtel, ​Morgins, ​Champéry] (127/165 lifts; 410/580km piste; 20-145cm base)
Tignes / Val D’Isere (68/79 lifts; 286/300km piste; 100-380cm base)
Le Grand Massif [Flaine, ​Les Carroz, ​Morillon, ​Samoëns, ​Sixt] (51/62 lifts; 228/265km piste; 20-420cm base)
Les Sybelles [Le Corbier, ​La Toussuire, Les Bottière, ​St Colomban des Villards, ​St Sorlin, ​St Jean d’Arves](55/68 lifts; 186/310km piste; 10-140cm base)
Le Grand Domaine [Valmorel, ​Doucy, ​Celliers, ​St François Longchamp] (39/47 lifts; 141/165km piste; 25-175cm base)
Espace Diamant [Les Saisies, ​Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe, ​Praz sur Arly/, Flumet, ​Crest-Voland] (64/82 lifts; 130/192km piste; 110-180cm base)
Espace Lumière [Pra Loup, ​Val d’Allos] (26/36 lifts; 120/180km piste; 70-135cm base)
Espace San Bernardo [La Rosière, ​La Thuile] (35/38 lifts; 105/144km piste; 145-360cm base)
Grand Tourmalet/​Pic du Midi [La Mongie, ​Barèges] (14/29 lifts; 40/100km piste; 45-45cm base)

Alpe d’Huez (63/69 lifts; 172/250km piste; 100-350cm base)
Chamonix (71/81 lifts; 99/120 piste; 15-290cm base)
Font Romeu (22/23 lifts; 47/58km piste; 90-120cm base)
La Clusaz (44/49 lifts; 111/125km piste; 5-195cm base)
La Plagne (68/74 lifts; 201/225km piste; 35-350cm base)
Les 2 Alpes (44/44 lifts; 200/200km piste; 30-220cm base)
Les Arcs (51/53 lifts; 184/200km piste; 70-420cm base)
Les Contamines (20/24 lifts; 110/120km piste; 20-265cm base)
Megeve (79/81 lifts; 190/263km piste; 40-170cm base)
Serre Chevalier (49/59 lifts; 207/250km piste; 40-195cm base)
Val Cenis (28/29 lifts; 117/125km piste; 50-110cm base)
Vars/Risoul (29/35 lifts; 135/185km piste; 50-165cm base)

Italy

Via Lattea [Sestriere, Sauze d’Oulx, ​San Sicario, ​Claviere, ​Montgenèvre] (54/69 lifts; 273/400km piste; 165-215cm base)
Monterosa Ski [Alagna Valsesia, Gressoney-La-Trinité, ​Champoluc, ​Frachey] (19/20 lifts; 115/132km piste; 35-100cm base)
3 Zinnen Dolomites [Helm, ​Stiergarten, ​Rotwand/​Kreuzbergpass] (20/20 lifts; 86/86km piste; 30-85cm base)
Civetta [Alleghe, Selva di Cadore, Palafavera, ​Zoldo] (23/23 lifts; 71/72km piste; 35-60cm base)
Latemar [Obereggen, ​Pampeago, ​Predazzo] (18/18 lifts; 49/49km piste; 20-45cm base)

Alpe di Siusi (21/21 lifts; 63/63km piste; 5-40cm base), Alta Badia (53/53 lifts; 124/130km piste; 45-65cm base)
Arabba/Marmolada (26/26 lifts; 55/63km piste; 50-80cm base)
Bardonecchia (11/22 lifts; 80/100km piste; 45-70cm base)
Bormio (11/14 lifts; 50/50km piste; 30-110cm base)
Cortina (26/27 lifts; 110/120km piste; 40-60cm base)
Courmayeur (18/18 lifts; 35/42km piste; 70-110cm base)
Kronplatz (31/31 lifts; 121/121km piste; 30-90cm base)
Livigno (31/32 lifts; 115/115km piste; 80-110cm base)
Madesimo (10/10 lifts; 33/37km piste; 70-95cm base)
Madonna di Campiglio (57/58 lifts; 135/155km piste; 60-70cm base)
Meran 2000 (8/8 lifts; 40/40km piste; 90-120cm base)
Passo Tonale (30/30 lifts; 98/100km piste; 60-250cm base)
Pila (12/12 lifts; 65/70km piste; 30-50cm base)
San Martino di Castrozza (21/21 lifts; 58/60km piste; 15-40cm base)
Solda (10/11 lifts; 44/44km piste; 100-180cm base)
Val Gardena (79/79 lifts; 175/181km piste; 60-70cm base)

Switzerland

4 Vallées [Verbier, ​La Tzoumaz, ​Nendaz/, Veysonnaz, ​Thyon] (62/68 lifts; 390/412km piste; 40-250cm base)
Matterhorn [Zermatt, ​Breuil-Cervinia/, Valtournenche] (42/51 lifts; 301/322km piste; 25-240cm base)

Aletsch Arena (26/35 lifts; 45/104km piste; 120-150cm base)
Andermatt (8/13 lifts; 40/70km piste; 80-120cm base)
Arolla (5/5 lifts; 40/47km piste; 90-165cm base)
Arosa Lenzerheide (43/43 lifts; 216/225km piste; 110-120cm base)
Crans Montana (18/19 lifts; 115/140km piste; 100-180cm base)
Davos Klosters (18/18 lifts; 93/95km piste; 90-185cm base)
Engelberg-Titlis (9/17 lifts; 26/70km piste; 20-295cm base)
Flims Laax (20/28 lifts; 117/214km piste; 40-345cm base)
Grimentz Zinal (21/21 lifts; 114/115km piste; 40-130cm base)
Grindlewald Wengen (22/23 lifts; 85/102km piste; 10-90cm base)
Leukerbad (13/13 lifts; 46/48km piste; 30-220cm base)
Murren (16/16 lifts; 50/54km piste; 60-255cm base)
Saas Fee (16/23 lifts; 68/100km; 75-330cm base)
St Moritz (23/23 lifts; 152/155km piste; 10-90cm base)
Villars (22/25 lifts; 64/84km piste; 20-120cm base)

Andorra

Arcalis (12/17 lifts; 25/30km piste; 60-100cm base)
Grandvalira (64/74 lifts; 120/215km piste; 30-70cm base)
Valnord (23/32 lifts; 36/63km piste; 40-70cm base)

Spain

Baqueira Beret (33/36 lifts; 126/165km piste; 120-150cm base)
Candanchu (9/24 lifts; 14/50km piste; 25-65cm base)
Cerler (14/20 lifts; 27/80km piste; 35-45cm base)
Formigal (17/21 lifts; 44/143km piste; 15-45cm base)
La Molina (23/33 lifts; 60/145km piste; 25-50cm base)
Sierra Nevada (15/24 lifts; 52/113km piste; 20-60cm base)

Nordic Resorts

Finland

Levi (18/26 lifts; 30/38km piste; 25-60cm base)
Pyha (6/9 lifts; 11/13km piste; 40-50cm base)
Ruka (19/22 lifts; 16/19km piste; 30-40cm base)
Yllas (15/26 lifts; 33/53km piste; 85-85cm base)

Norway

Beitostolen (5/6 lifts; 11/12km piste; 90-90cm base)
Gaustablikk (9/14 lifts; 23/35km piste; 80-105cm base)
Geilo (7/20 lifts; 31/34km piste; 40-70cm base)
Hafjell (15/18 lifts; 49/50km piste; 65-95cm base)
Hemsedal (21/21 lifts; 35/44km piste; 35-70cm base)
Kvitfjell (13/14 lifts; 37/39km piste; 20-80cm base)
Myrkdalen (7/9 lifts; 28/32km piste; 140-170cm base)
Narvik (5/6 lifts; 4/10km piste; 30-50cm base)
Oppdal (6/16 lifts; 16/56km piste; 30-40cm base)
Strandafjellet (4/6 lifts; 12/25km piste; 180-180cm base)
Trysil (31/31 lifts; 72/78km piste; 65-90cm base)
Voss (10/11 lifts; 33/45km piste; 125-150cm base)

Sweden

Are (31/35 lifts; 82/91km piste; 50-90cm base)
Idre Fjall (22/24 lifts; 39/41km piste; 50-75cm base)
Salen (40/40 lifts; 45/45km piste; 70-100cm base)
Vemdalen (16/16 lifts; 19/19km piste; 60-95cm base)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bjelasnica (4/7 lifts; 4/6 piste; 45-45cm base)
Jahorina (6/17 lifts; 25/52km piste; 45-45cm base)

Bulgaria

Bansko (14/14 lifts; 56/75km piste; 15-80cm base)
Borovets (11/13 lifts; 53/58km piste; 125-135cm base)
Pamporovo (10/13 lifts; 15/30km piste; 100-115cm base)

Czech Republic

Špindlerův Mlýn (12/17 lifts; 26/28km piste; 70-125cm base)

Georgia

Bakuriani (10/20 lifts; 18/29km piste; 45-70cm base)
Gudauri (10/15 lifts; 26/35km piste; 45-70cm base)
Tetnuldi (5/5 lifts; 14/14km piste; 45-70cm base)

Germany

Garmisch-Partenkirchen-Zugspitze (14/18 lifts; 28/40km piste; 50-130cm base)
Oberstdorf (12/14 lifts; 34/34km piste; 40-145cm base)
Spitzingsee (9/10 lifts; 12/15km piste; 70-130cm base)
Sudelfeld-Bayrischzell (3/13 lifts; 26/31km piste; 30-110cm base)

Liechenstein

Malbun (7/7 lifts; 23/23km piste; 70-130cm base)

Poland

Białka Tatrzańska (19/19 lifts; 17/18km piste; 50-150cm base)
Zakopane (3/4 lifts; 3/3km piste; 25-95cm base)

Romania

Poiana Brasov (4/10 lifts; 5/14km piste; 25-30cm base)

Serbia

Kopaonik (21/26 lifts; 33/55km piste; 10-30cm base)

Slovakia

Jasna (17/19 lifts; 47/45km piste; 40-100cm base)
Tatranska Lomnica (9/9 lifts; 12/12km piste; 50-80cm base)

Slovenia

Kanin-Bovec (4/10 lifts; 11/30km piste; 20-180cm base)
Kranjska Gora (8/15 lifts; 9/20km piste; 30-30cm base)
Krvavec (7/13 lifts; 11/30km piste; 0-40cm base)
Maribor (12/14 lifts; 25/35km piste; 10-40cm base)
Vogel (8/9 lifts; 15/22km piste; 10-80cm base)

Turkey

Ejder 3200 (13/13 lifts; 38/42 piste; 30-130cm base)
Erciyes (8/19 lifts; 12/34 piste; 30-110cm base)

UK – Scotland

Cairngorm Mountain (5/11 lifts; 2/32km piste; 0-15cm base)
Glencoe (5/9 lifts; 4/24km piste; 35-65cm base)
Glenshee (6/21 lifts; 9/40km piste; 10-10cm base)

USA

Alyeska (7/7 lifts; 49/62km piste; 105-255cm base) in Alaska

Heavenly (25/27 lifts; 75/94km piste; 30-90cm base), Kirkwood (12/13 lifts; 64/65km piste; 45-125cm base), Mammoth (23/25 lifts; 75/90km piste; 130-200cm base), Northstar (17/19 lifts; 72/97km piste; 45-120cm base), and Palisades Tahoe (20/43 lifts; 117/200km piste; 80-165cm base) in California

Arapahoe Basin (7/9 lifts; 43/105km piste; 70-130cm base), Aspen Highlands (5/5 lifts; 130/135km piste; 70-145cm base), Aspen Mountain (8/9 lifts; 103/103km piste; 40-80cm base), Beaver Creek (24/25 lifts; 102/150km piste: 70-110cm base), Breckenridge (30/35 lifts; 119/153km piste; 70-120cm base), Copper (21/24 lifts; 110/126km piste; 90-170cm base), Keystone (21/21 lifts; 117/135km piste; 60-120cm base), Loveland (8/10 lifts; 59/93km piste; 65-115cm base), Snowmass (16/20 lifts; 194/237km piste; 50-120cm base), Steamboat (20/20 lifts; 153/165km piste; 50-140cm base), Telluride (16/19 lifts; 65/88km piste; 60-105cm base), Vail (26/34 lifts; 213/234km piste; 90-150cm base), Winter Park (19/25 lifts; 109/143km piste; 140-180cm base) and Wolf Creek (9/11 lifts; 100/100km piste; 125-135cm base) in Colorado

Schweitzer (9/10 lifts; 91/95km piste; 70-140cm base) and Tamarack (7/7 lifts; 37/42km piste; 70-150cm base) in Idaho

Sugarloaf (9/15 lifts; 77/87km piste; 25-60cm base) and Sunday River (12/20 lifts; 60/85km piste; 70-80cm base) in Maine

Big Sky (31/38 lifts; 113/250km piste; 60-80cm base), Bridger Bowl (11/11 lifts; 65/71km piste; 25-55cm base), and Whitefish (13/16 lifts; 73/91km piste; 60-165cm base) in Montana

Mt Rose (7/8 lifts; 54/60km piste; 100-150cm base) in Nevada

Attitash (7/8 lifts; 17/37km piste; 40-45cm base), Loon (8/11 lifts; 39/49km piste; 20-40cm base), and Wildcat (3/5 lifts; 23/25km piste; 15-45cm base) in New Hampshire

Taos (11/14 lifts; 93/113km piste; 60-95cm base) in New Mexico

Mt Bachelor (9/15 lifts; 68/100km piste; 110-210cm base) and Mt Hood (6/12 lifts; 68/90km piste; 85-145cm base), and Timberline (5/7 lifts; 26/31km piste; 195-290cm base) in Oregon

Alta (7/8 lifts; 57/71km piste; 150-280cm base), Deer Valley (21/25 lifts; 98/103km piste; 90-150cm base), Park City (39/42 lifts; 250/250km piste; 130-180cm base), Powder Mountain (8/9 lifts; 61/68km piste; 90-175cm base), Snowbird (12/14 lifts; 91/103km piste; 100-190cm base), and Solitude (9/9 lifts; 46/64km piste; 85-175cm base) in Utah

Killington (13/22 lifts; 110/118km piste; 15-40cm base), Okemo (13/20 lifts; 58/70km piste; 25-40cm base), Smuggler’s Notch (5/8 lifts; 65/78km piste; 20-60cm base); and Stowe (11/12 lifts; 61/70km piste; 45-60cm base) in Vermont

Crystal Mountain (9/11 lifts; 46/50km piste; 55-80cm base) and Mt Baker (7/10 lifts; 75/100km piste; 170-230cm base) in Washington

Snowshoe (11/12 lifts; 29/31km piste; 45-135cm base) in West Virginia

Grand Targhee (6/6 lifts; 33/35km piste; 110-190cm base) and Jackson Hole (12/13 lifts; 114/116km piste; 50-160cm base) in Wyoming

Canada

Castle Mountain (5/6 lifts; 68/94km piste; 50-90cm base), Lake Louise (11/11 lifts; 115/139km piste; 55-110cm base), Marmot Basin (6/7 lifts; 75/91km piste; 65-65cm base), Mt Norquay (5/5 lifts; 13/16km piste; 80-80cm base), and Sunshine (11/12 lifts; 104/109km piste; 50-95cm base) in Alberta

Big White (11/12 lifts; 77/105km piste; 70-160cm base), Fernie (9/10 lifts; 134/142km piste; 85-190cm base), Kicking Horse (4/5 lifts; 73/100km piste; 40-110cm base), Kimberley (5/5 lifts; 73/80km piste; 0-90cm base), Panorama (10/10 lifts; 99/100km piste; 60-85cm base), Red Mountain (8/8 lifts; 118/120km piste; 110-120cm base), Revelstoke (5/7 lifts; 42/55km piste; 80-150cm base), Silver Star (9/10 lifts; 112/115km piste; 60-155cm base), Sun Peaks (12/12 lifts; 135/135km piste; 50-130cm base), Whistler Blackcomb (23/27 lifts; 180/200km piste; 5-160cm base), and Whitewater (5/5 lifts; 50/50km piste; 145-155cm base) in BC

Blue Mountain (10/11 lifts; 27/29km piste; 60-80cm base) in Ontario

Le Massif (7/9 lifts; 31/39km piste; 40-65cm base), Mont Saint Anne (6/9 lifts; 53/73 piste; 50-70cm base), Sommet-Saint-Sauveur (6/8 lift; 36/38km piste; 55-95cm base), Stoneham (5/6 lifts; 28/34km piste; 55-75cm base), and Tremblant (13/14 lifts; 75/82km piste; 10-130cm base) in Quebec

Japan

Hokkaido

Furano (9/9 lifts; 31/32km piste; 100-170cm base)
Kamui (6/6 lifts; 24/24km piste; 100-160cm base)
Kiroro (7/10 lifts; 12/24 piste; 70-180cm base)
Niseko United (28/32 lifts; 44/51km piste; 130-310cm base)
Rusutsu (15/18 lifts; 41/42km piste; 130-170cm base)
Sahoro (7/8 lifts; 19/25km piste; 80-120cm base)
Tomamu (6/6 lifts; 21/22km piste; 45-170cm base)

Honshu

Happo One Hakuba (20/22 lifts; 52/52km piste; 50-210cm base)
Naeba (9/15 lifts; 17/19km piste; 70-110cm base)
Nozawa Onsen (12/17 lifts; 44/44km piste; 70-200cm base)
Shigakogen (45/48 lifts; 82/83km piste; 90-150cm base)
Zao Onsen (33/35 lifts; 45/50km piste; 65-90cm base)